We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristie Kennedy . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristie below.
Kristie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you have an agent or someone (or a team) that helps you secure opportunities and compensation for your creative work? How did you meet you, why did you decide to work with them, why do you think they decided to work with you?
When the demands exceed your own capacity to manage alone, it is definitely time to entertain the services of an agent. It allows me to focus on my zone of genius while they handle the hairy details. My first agent, actually found me online and submitted a pitch requesting to represent me.
I believe it is important to build a team that deeply believes the world needs to feast on your unique brilliance. I was told once, “If you are not visible, you are invisible.” I can honestly say my agent would not have discovered me if I didn’t take the initiative to market myself.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
As a multi-talented thought leader, my first love is the written word. I remember the first journal received from my sixth grade teacher. It was a black and white Mead journal. I was an only child who lived in a very volatile home environment. Pen and paper became my literal life line during seasons of anxiety, social rejection, depression and suicidal ideations. What I am fascinated by in the creative process is watching an imaginary world unfold right before the eyes. Every literary expression has a life of its own and no two works are the same.
Recently, I received disappointing news and the first place I ran to was my journal and then I began to write, “The Drumbeat of My Own Destiny”. One of my favorite quotes is, “She who holds the pen holds the power.” The ability to dance with my mind has been instrumental in paving a path that was non-existent until I envisioned it.
I am most proud of my unwavering tenacity. The latest work of art is named after my company that was established after being laid off years ago. My daily affirmation is, “I turned a pink slip into Queenfidence.” I’ve financed all of my projects without angel investors. I know firsthand that FAITH can move mountains when you dare to BELIEVE.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
During the early years of building something out of nothing, one of the major lessons was understanding the difference between the non-profit sector mentality and a corporate entity mindset. This deep need to reprogram internal programming inspired me to create 25 vision boards and 6 vision books to design what I call bodacious beliefs. Before working diligently on self-perception, I was earning $13.00/hr at a medical day spa. I will never forget negotiating five figures for a one hour keynote speaking engagement. The mind is powerful and my continual affirmation is, “Your ideal client is a high paying client who understands the extraordinary value you contribute to their personal potential and professional aspirations.”
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
As a new entrepreneur one of my lifelong dreams was to record my own music. At this time in the journey, I was a secretary at the local College. I took a portion of my bi-weekly paycheck to finance that special project. It was not completed until five years after the start date. I have the Beyond the Skies cd cover framed on my desk with a sticky note attached that reads, “Five years to produce. Paycheck by paycheck.” It’s a note to self that any obstacles I may encounter today are a walk in the park and a piece of cake to devour.
The Drumbeat of my Own Destiny!
It may appear difficult to take the first step, because perfectionism and procrastination can stifle the START of something spectacular, but the pounding of purpose is impossible to STOP and I am prepared to vehemently defend my passion until the last fading breath says goodbye.
Way down DEEP in the crevices of my soul,
There beats a CONGO DRUM of determination, an echoing endurance,
that reverberates on the mountain peak of potential, from sunup to sundown.
All signs point to the limitlessness, do not miss your exit.
Now is the time to green light your greatness.
When the valley of the shadow of death drapes itself in garments of darkness, mirroring a panther in stealth, a fiery fortitude, pierces through fear like a cannon ball in the air. The moment my feet begin to sink beneath the ground, I hear a familiar sound in the hollow wall of my eardrums emerging from my heart, “Par rum pum pum pum.” That is the beat of a dream that refuses to backdown.
There are times when it feels as if my hopes have ghosted me on the dance floor of my imagination, under a chandelier of insecurities. I stand alone grinning while inconspicuously wiping tear-stained mascara from the cliff of my cheek bones. One thing I am certain of, there is an alternative beyond deciding to run and hide in the meanderings of mediocrity.
TRUTH BE TOLD, I almost tapped out in the twelfth round, but the words of Nora Ephron became smelling salt, in the boxing ring of disappointment. Five, four, three, two… and in an instant my voice let out a shout, “Be the heroine of your life and not the victim in this fight.” A roar of courage silenced the doubt and strengthened my resolve. Limping forward until I was able to lean against the ropes of resilience, my spirit spoke. “I know I am not the only one who hears the little drummer boy playing par rum pum pum pum or the caged bird singing for freedom to come and to let the dream live on.”
A comeback is the audacity to confront setbacks that seek to shake, rattle, and buckle the knees of tenacity. As the CONGO DRUM OF DETERMINATION intensifies in the dungeon of defeat, I hold tight to the bodacious belief that I can become who I was designed to be. Whether I am encircled in a crowded room or stranded on a secluded lagoon; I will always and forever dance unapologetically to the drumbeat of my own destiny.
If you dared to paint a vision on the canvas of your creative mind, what authentic attributes of your personality would a portrait of bravery depict of you soaring at untouchable and ethereal heights?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.queenfidence.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/queenfidenceimageconsulting
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/queenfidenceimage
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@queenfidence